Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Stephen O’Neill, Event Operations Lead for Aberdeen Tall Ships 2025, shares insights into working with contractors and suppliers to deliver a major, large-scale event.
Stephen reflects on his two-year involvement in the project and explains how early planning was essential to identify key roles, address skills gaps, and secure specialist expertise across production, site management and health and safety. Delivering a festival within Scotland’s busiest port required a highly skilled workforce and careful coordination across multiple disciplines.
He discusses the importance of early procurement in the fast-paced and agile nature of the events industry, and how engaging contractors early and offering clear, transparent briefs is vital in securing the right talent.
Stephen highlights the importance of professional networks and relationships, as well as the role of platforms like LinkedIn in sourcing talent and explains why strong communication is at the heart of every successful contractor relationship.
Emma Wadee, Project Manager, also shares additional insights into delivering a collaborative, multi-agency event and the importance of strong partnerships throughout.
Learn more about planning and delivering events – support.visitscotland.org/advice-support/support-by-sector/events-festivals
Learn more about working with suppliers and partners – support.visitscotland.org/advice-support/support-by-sector/events-festivals/workforce
Mentioned in this video:
tallshipsaberdeen.com
linkedin.com
Stephen O’Neill, Event Operations Lead for Aberdeen Tall Ships 2025, shares insights into working with contractors and suppliers to deliver a major, large-scale event.
Stephen reflects on his two-year involvement in the project and explains how early planning was essential to identify key roles, address skills gaps, and secure specialist expertise across production, site management and health and safety. Delivering a festival within Scotland’s busiest port required a highly skilled workforce and careful coordination across multiple disciplines.
He discusses the importance of early procurement in the fast-paced and agile nature of the events industry, and how engaging contractors early and offering clear, transparent briefs is vital in securing the right talent.
Stephen highlights the importance of professional networks and relationships, as well as the role of platforms like LinkedIn in sourcing talent and explains why strong communication is at the heart of every successful contractor relationship.
Emma Wadee, Project Manager, also shares additional insights into delivering a collaborative, multi-agency event and the importance of strong partnerships throughout.
Learn more about planning and delivering events – support.visitscotland.org/advice-support/support-by-sector/events-festivals
Learn more about working with suppliers and partners – support.visitscotland.org/advice-support/support-by-sector/events-festivals/workforce
Mentioned in this video:
tallshipsaberdeen.com
linkedin.com
